CHAPTER VIII. 



THE BLADDER FERNS. 

 PLATE 4. 



HREE little Ferns only are comprised 

 in this group : namely, 1. The 



Brittle Bladder Fern (Gystopteris 

 frag His). 2. The Alpine Bladder 

 Fern (Gystopteris regia) : and 3. The Mountain 

 Bladder Fern (Gystopteris montana). The common 

 or popular name given to the delicate and beautiful 

 Ferns included under the genus Gystopteris, has 

 been suggested, as in the case of the Shield Ferns, 

 by the shape of the spore-case covers. In this 

 group these covers the indusia as botanists call 

 them are raised somewhat in the form of hoods 

 or bladders : and hence, as we have seen, the 

 popular designation of the group. 



